Basilan is an island province of the Philippines mostly located within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), except its capital, Isabela City, which is administered as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Basilan is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan is the biggest and northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago.

Population

As of yearend 2009 the total population of the prelature is 420,168 of which 27 percent are Catholics.

Chavacanos are primarily Christian. Basilan has a population that is mostly Christian (whom are Roman Catholic). Non-Catholic Christians identify with the Evangelicals, Episcopalian (Anglican Catholics), and Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and a number of other Protestant denominations.

Basilan is the homeland of the Yakan, a peace-loving people known for their colorful clothes hand-woven with intricate geometric designs, as well as for their elaborate weddings and festivals. The Yakans, who are considered natives of the island, are said to be of foreign origin.

The Samals, Badjaos and Tausugs are mostly fishermen. They love to stay along the coastal areas of this island province.

Yakans and Tausugs are predominantly Muslim (Sunni, Folk). Only the most recent Chinese immigrants exclusively adhere to Buddhism/Taoism, while most of the older Chinese families have acculturated and have either converted to Christianity or Islam while retaining most of their Chinese beliefs.

Language

Approximately 55 percent of the people speak Chavacano; other dialects are Samal, Tausug, Joloano, Yakan, Maranao, Visayan, Tagalog and Ilocano. Yakan dialect however is mostly spoken and understood by the Yakan natives only. Likewise, English is also widely spoken by nearly all people in the more urbanized areas.

A dwindling group of native-Spanish speakers can still be found, nearly all of them are in Isabela City and Lamitan, and are usually members of the wealthy landowning class and/or descendants of expatriate plantation managers. Finally, Chinese/Fookien is used by the immigrant/naturalized Chinese community in the Province.

History

Suffragan of ZamboangaCreated: Oct. 12, 1963Erected: Feb. 15, 1964Comprises all the territories that constitute the jurisdiction of Basilan ProvinceTitular: Sta. Isabel de PortugalSecondary Patron: Immaculate Heart of MaryConsecration of the Cathedral: June 21, 1970

The Prelature of Isabela in Basilan was created on Oct. 12, 1963, and comprises all territories constituting the civil jurisdiction of Basilan Province, including Basilan City, its present capital. It covers a land area of 1,359 square kilometers, and its Catholic population of 113,445 is 27 per cent of total. Its titular patron is the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Bishop Jose Ma. Querexeta, CMF, was the first bishop of the Prelature of Isabela. As he established parishes and schools for Muslims and Christians alike, the bishop worked for the integration of Christians and Muslims. He set up projects that would benefit the Muslims as he built churches for the Christians. Bishop Romulo de la Cruz became the Prelate Ordinary of Basilan in 1989 upon the retirement of Bishop Querexeta.

For its vision, the church in Basilan hopes to proclaim a Christian understanding of the human person, of society, and the common good of all the people of Basilan, considering its divergent cultures, religions and ideologies.

For its mission it aims to promote a "new spirituality" that unites people in faith and in the Lord, in justice and charity towards neighbor, in a personal conversion that could bring about a change in societal structures. It is the perception of the church in Basilan that the renewal of a vision and a mission, as initiated by the Plenary Council of the Philippines II, is not entirely new for Basilan Christians because of their minority situation. Rather it is a question of deepening this renewal in order to strengthen one's own evangelization, to be able to pass this on to one's neighbor, be he Moslem or Christian.

Political

Basilan falls under the jurisdiction of the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) comprising five provinces: Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao and Maguindanao. The ARMM has a Regional Governor, Regional Vice-Governor, its own Cabinet Members and Legislative Assembly. The principal officials of the province are the Governor, Vice-Governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member's (12) including 3 sectoral representatives, Municipal Mayors (18), Municipal Vice-Mayors (18), Sangguniang Bayan member's (180) and Barangay Captains (410). The Provincial Development Council (PDC) is responsible for the formulation of economic and development plans, the coordination of development efforts and the monitoring and evaluation of programs within the territorial jurisdiction. The PDC is headed by the Governor and is composed of the eighteen Municipal Mayors, the Chairman of Appropriation Committee (SP member), (3) representatives from non-government organizations, and (2) Congressmen representing the two districts.

Political ConversionRepublic Act No. 9054 or the Expanded ARMM signals the inclusion of Basilan Province in ARMM on August 2002 after an overwhelming acceptance during the plebiscite. The devolution of the province makes a difference in terms of benchmarking with the exclusion of Isabela City which contributed huge economic advantage in terms of development and future growth.

Transportation

By SeaThe province is accessible thru Zamboanga City via conventional ferries which will take 1 hour and 45 minutes ride or single-hull fastcrafts for 45 minutes.

By LandIsabela City is served by buses that ply the Isabela-Lamitan route. A number of franchised vans and multi-cabs also ply the Isabela-Lamitan, Isabela-Maluso routes.

Infrastructure

Power SupplyBasilan's electricity needs are served by the Basilan Electric Cooperative (BASELCO), powered by three diesel-powered electricity generating plants located at Barangay Binuangan, Isabela City, one National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) diesel-powered barge located at Barangay Tabuk, Isabela City, and a mini-hydroelectric plant located in Kumalarang, Isabela City.

Water SupplyBasilan is likewise served by three local water utilities namely: Isabela City Water District (ISAWAD), Lamitan City Water District (LAMWAD), and Maluso Water District (MAWAD).

Roads and BridgesNational Roads are made up of concrete, asphalt, and gravel, a total 131.92 kilometers, while there are 795.8 kilometers of Local Roads. Among the major bridges are the Marcos Bridge of Isabela City and the recently inaugurated Matarling Bridge (built through USAID funding) between Isabela City and Lantawan.

PortsThere are 13 municipal and local ports, 3 of which have roll on-roll off (RORO) capacity, and at least 10 private airstrips servicing small aircraft.

Economy

Annual per capita income (in Philippines Pesos; exclude Isabela City) is 14,466 (USD328 as of September 2010).

Basilan is an agricultural province with a few industries. It is the country's leading producer of rubber.Major crops are coconut, rubber, coffee, cassava, banana, corn which account for the great bulk of the income. Its secondary crops include rice, black pepper, root crops, cacao, African palm oil and other seasonal fruits. The province however, is dependent on other provinces for its basi food requirements of rice, vegetables, and meat.

The surrounding waters, particularly in the Pilas group of islands, are rich in fish and other marine resources. Tuna, mackerel, and sardines are the dominant fish species. Agar-agar, a variety of seaweed, is cultivated along the coasts.

Telecommunication

The island is served by the Provincial Telephone System (PTS) which has 600 land-line connections and connected with National Direct Dial (NDD) via PLDT. It is likewise served by major Mobile Telecommunications carriers Globe and Smart. It has 2 Wi-Fi Internet Service Providers, and numerous Internet Cafes.

ABS-CBN Zamboanga DXLL-TV can be also heard/seen on the island of Basilan by relay broadcast.

Education

Literacy rate (Simple literacy) is 72.23 percent.

Claret College of Isabela - formerly Fatima School is the only Catholic-run sectarian school located in Isabela City, at Barangay Sta. Cruz, also has a High School and Elementary Department.

Culture

Araw ng Basilan - celebrated every March 7 to commemorate the Anniversary of the Province of Basilan.Founding Anniversary of the City of Isabela, April 25 - Then Municpality of Isabela was formally ratified into first City and component City of the Province of Basilan. The Republic Act 9023, otherwise known as' An Act Converting the Municipality of Isabela, Province of Basilan, into a Component City to be known as the City of Isabela' was signed into law by Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacañang Palace and attended by City Officials headed by the First City Mayor, the late Hon. Luis R. Biel II.

Lami-Lamihan Festival - the island's premier festival is celebrated during the Feast of St. Peter (Fiesta San Pedro) on June 29 in Lamitan City. The Festival is highlighted by the participation of the Yakans who attend the festivities in full regalia, selling wares and produce brought in from their farms in the interior.Cocowayan Festival - Isabela City's annual commemoration of its Cityhood is a week-long series of activities culminating in the annual Street Dancing parade on April 25.

Fiesta Santa Isabel - celebrated every July 8 by the residents of Isabela City, in honor of its Patroness Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (Span. Sta. Isabel de Portugal), the focal point of the Fiesta celebrations happen around the Sta. Isabel Cathedral located at the center of Isabela's poblacion. This is highlighted by a Procession and Novena Masses, the traditional Bella Isabela Beauty Pageant, marathon, regatta and other activities organized primarily by the Diocese of Basilan and the Prelature of Isabela and its lay organizations the Catholic Women's League (CWL) and Knights of Columbus (KofC).

Semana Santa (Holy Week) - March/April (movable) a city procession known as the Santo Entierro (Holy Funeral) on Good Friday highlights the observance of the season of Lent. Celebrated in most parish churches in the city and in the Sta. Isabel Cathedral, the Santo Entierro is a procession of Christ's images, many of the Stations of the Cross, along the city's main streets, depicting his last hours before, during, and after the Crucifixion.

Flores de Mayo - May 1 to 31, a religious feast celebrated in all Catholic churches in honor of the Virgin Mary. Little children in white gala dresses walk up the altar to offer flowers to the image of the Blessed Mother, as the Catholics call her.